title: Pregnancy after azathioprine therapy for ulcerative colitis in a woman with autoimmune premature ovarian failure and Addison's disease: HLA haplotype characterization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present a case of fertility restored by azathioprine treatment in a woman with autoimmune premature ovarian failure, Addison's disease, and ulcerative colitis, and to study the genetic background of the three autoimmune diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endocrinology and Immunology Units of an university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 30-year-old woman with autoimmune premature ovarian failure, Addison's disease, and ulcerative colitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Azathioprine has been administered as immunosuppressive treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed analysis of human leukocyte antigens expression on lymphocytes and genomic haplotype of the patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The human leukocyte antigen haplotype of the patient was consistent with the haplotypes predisposing for the three autoimmune diseases, as reported in the literature. The administration of azathioprine restored regular menses and allowed uneventful pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first clinical evidence of association of immunosuppressive azathioprine treatment and restored ovarian function and fertility in a woman with autoimmune premature ovarian failure. In this patient, the haplotype was associated with susceptibility to autoimmune premature ovarian failure, Addison's disease, and ulcerative colitis.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. ferrau1@interfree.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferraù
authors.forename: Sebastiano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gangemi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vita
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Trimarchi
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cannavò
mesh_terms: D000224:Addison Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050498:Live Birth; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine